In recent years, it was common online to see tweets like “High-end manufacturing isn’t as good as Germany, electronic technology isn’t as advanced as Japan, and artificial intelligence isn’t as strong as the United States.†This kind of statement often carried a tone of irony or even frustration. But what about China’s most successful achievements? A few years ago, people might have hesitated to name them. However, the CCTV documentary *Great Power* now reveals the answer in its second episode.
“Workers must first sharpen their tools if they want to do good things.†The documentary showcases some of the most impressive technological projects of the past decade, highlighting cutting-edge innovations such as the opening of super factories, breakthroughs in key technologies, and world-class experimental platforms where Chinese and foreign equipment compete side by side. It then narrows down to the semiconductor industry—what critical components are driving China’s progress?
**AI Chip**
At the closing ceremony of the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, during Zhang Yimou's "Beijing Eight Minutes" performance, China’s new technological elements, especially artificial intelligence, amazed the world. Twenty-four mobile robots called “Ice Screens†and 26 skaters performed together, creating stunning visual effects that blended traditional Chinese culture with modern AI.
The secret behind these robots’ performance lies in powerful chips. China has made significant strides in the semiconductor industry, particularly in AI chips.
In 2016, Cambrian released the world’s first commercial deep learning processor IP, the Cambrian 1A. Based on a proprietary smart instruction set, this chip offers exceptional versatility and performance in tasks like computer vision, speech recognition, and natural language processing. Its theoretical peak performance at GHz frequency is 512 billion semi-precision floating point operations per second, and up to 2 trillion for sparse neural networks. It supports eight fixed-point operations and one weight, achieving over 25 times the performance of traditional quad-core CPUs and more than 50 times the energy efficiency.
In 2017, Huawei integrated the Cambrian 1A into the Kirin 970 chip used in the Mate 10 series. According to Chen Tianshi from Cambrian, the 1A outperformed Apple’s A11 processor without relying on brute force or sparse technology. That same year, three upgraded processors were launched: the high-performance 1H16, the 1H8 for visual applications, and the 1M for smart driving, each offering significantly better performance than the original 1A.
By 2018, Cambrian planned to launch two MLU chips—MLU100 for data centers and MLU200 for enterprise-level AI research.
**Bitcoin Mining Chip**
Bitcoin’s rising value sparked a boom in mining companies. One of the leading players, Bitland, founded in 2013 by Wu Jihan and Micree Zhan, became a major player in Bitcoin mining hardware and custom chips. By 2017, it had over 700 employees and 200 AI teams, with sales reaching RMB 14.3 billion, ranking it among the top ten IC design companies in China.
Bitland has mass-produced 16nm ICs and designed ASIC chips for deep learning. In early 2018, it introduced the BM1680 tensor acceleration chip and SC1/SC1+ servers, which are optimized for inference and training in CNN, RNN, and DNN models. These chips contain 64 NPUs and use BMDNNChiplink technology to provide low-latency, high-speed connections.
Bitland plans to release the BF1682 AI chip in 2018, with even greater computing power. Future generations will follow, further strengthening its position in the AI chip market.
**Memory Chips**
China relies almost entirely on imported memory and flash chips. The sharp increase in memory prices has placed a heavy burden on consumers. Domestic demand for DRAM and NAND chips has grown, fueling hopes for local production.
Ziguang Zhao Weiguo and Yangtze River Storage have made significant progress in 3D NAND Flash. At the 2017 World Internet Conference, Zhao announced the development of 32-layer, 64-Gbit 3D flash chips with full intellectual property rights, expected to enter mass production in 2018.
Yangtze River Storage, established after acquiring Wuhan Xinxin Technology, has built the largest storage chip base in Wuhan with over $24 billion in investment. It aims to produce 64-layer 3D flash chips in 2019, aligning with international standards. Although there is still a gap compared to Samsung and Toshiba, the company is making steady progress.
**Silicon Carbide (SiC)**
Silicon carbide, a third-generation semiconductor material, offers higher thermal conductivity, faster electron saturation, and lower energy consumption. It is widely used in electric vehicles, smart grids, and aerospace.
In February 2018, Beijing’s first 6-inch SiC production line was successfully connected, marking China’s entry into the global SiC industry. This achievement improves China’s competitiveness in high-end manufacturing and establishes an autonomous industrial chain.
**7nm Chip Etching Machine**
The most advanced node in chip manufacturing is currently 7nm. China Microelectronics has developed the first 7nm etcher independently, using plasma etching technology. The machine achieves temperature control within 0.75 degrees, surpassing international standards.
Its gas shower plate, developed in collaboration with domestic manufacturers, enhances performance and reduces costs. This innovation helps China catch up with global leaders in chip manufacturing.
**Flexible Display**
With the rise of foldable phones, flexible display screens are becoming essential. BOE’s Chengdu B7 plant leads in mass production, producing ultra-thin, high-resolution AMOLED panels. With 3000 engineers and 10 years of R&D, it has overcome 40,000 technical challenges.
This factory can produce 48,000 units monthly, with annual output exceeding 90 million. It marks a turning point in China’s display industry, reducing screen shortages and positioning China as a leader in flexible displays.
**Policy Support & Big Fund Investment**
China’s semiconductor growth is also driven by strong policy support and large-scale investments. The government has prioritized integrated circuits, AI, and new materials in its strategic plans. The National Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund, launched in 2014, has invested over 56 billion yuan, supporting the entire industry chain.
With these advancements, China’s semiconductor industry is poised for unprecedented growth, solidifying its place as a global leader in high-tech manufacturing.
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